Revolver attachment.



sa -11 cm 1.083.013

M. FERGUSON K: J. O. FITZGERALD, JR. RBVOLVEl} ATTACHMENT. APPLICATION TILED MAR. 7. 1913.

1,088,073. Patented Dec/3 0, 1913.

lllllllll-lllllllll posed spot within the said bright spot MEADE FERGUSON AND JAMES O. FITZGERALD, J R., 0]? RICHMOND,- VIRGINIA.

REVOLVER ATTACHMENT.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, MEADE FERGUsoN and JAMns O. FITZGERALD, Jr., citizens of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Revolver Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a flash light attachment for firearms, such as rifles, revolvers, or pistols, it being the primary object thereof to provide an attachment of this nature which is adapted especially for use in connection with revolvers of the pivoted frame type and involves particularly the specific construction of the frame pivot whereby good electrical connection will be established at all times between those portions of the attachment and the wiring. therefor which are carried by the two frame portions of the revolver, Without the neces sity of employing a flexible conductor at the frame pivot, which latter is apt to become broken due to the continual bending of the same and which detracts materially from the general appearance of the firearm.

A further object is to provide a simple and efficient switch device within the body portion of the frame of the firearm, wherein the dry battery, which serves as the source of current is located, so that the flash light attachment will always be ready for instantaneous use, whenever its normally open circuit is closed by the readily operable switch provided for the purpose.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flash light attachment, wherein the electric bulb and lens will project the light upon the object aimed at so as to form a bright spot upon the same, means being provided in conjunction therewith for creating a centrally diswhich is either a shadow or a brighter spot. The visible spot thus created is intended to be used as a finder, and the means for pro-- jecting the spot should be arranged so that the spot will be visible upon the object aimed at, at a point where the load will strike upon firing the revolver. By employing this means for producing a spot of light diflering in intensity from the main spot, or for producing a finder in the form of a shadow, the user of the revolver may point the, same Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 7, 1913.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

Serial No. 752,735.

so as to bring the finder spot into engagement with the object to be fired upon before discharging the piece.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a revolver constructed in accordance with the invention and having the flash light attachment thereto; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4:4: of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a modified form of flash light device; Fig. 6 isa front elevation of a lens having an opaque disk disposed upon the convex face thereof; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken through a lens having an opaque disk disposed upon the plane face of the same; and, Fig. 8 is a similar sectional View showing the disk embedded centrally within the lens.

Upon reference to the several figures of drawing, it will be observed that we have reconstructed a revolver of the pivoted frame type so that the flash light attachment may be used in connection therewith, without the necessity of employing the frame or any of the parts thereof as conductors of the lighting current.

The numeral 1 designates a casing constructed of insulating material, which is adapted to be positioned within the back strap 2 of the frame portion 3 of the revolver for the reception of the dry cell 4, which latter furnishes the lighting current for the flash light 5. carried by the barrel 6 on the other frame portion 7. A resilient contact member 8 is mounted within the casing 1 for engagement with the metallic side wall of the cell 4, the said wall being one of the poles thereof. A second contact,10o

reception of a push button 14 ofhard rubher, or some such insulating material, which is provided interiorly of the frame with a flange 15 engaging the said Wall to limit the outward movement of the push button. The engaging inner extremity 16 of the push button is constantly in engagement with an inwardly yieldable contact finger 17 of suitable metal, which is attached to the frame through the medium of an insulating block 18, and which is normally out of engagement with a second contact finger 19 attached to the same insulating block 18. Upon forcing the push button inwardly, the two contact fingers will be brought into engagement with each other so as to complete the closing of an electric circuit which will be presently described. The contact member 9 is connected with the contact fin ger 17 by means of an insulated conductor 20. electrically connected to the contact member 8 of the casing 1 and the contact finger 19 of the circuit closer and extend forwardly through a conduit- 23 provided in the frame portion 3 to their points of attachment to the resilient brushes 24 and 25, respectively. These metallic brushes are attached to a block of insulating material 26 mounted upon the forward end of the said frame por tion immediately in advance of the trigger guard 27.

In constructing the pivotal joint between the frame portions 3 and 7, the apertured lugs 28 provided upon the frame portion 3 and the interposed lug 29 of the frame por tion 7 are normally spaced, so as to provide spaces for the reception of insulating disks 30 and 31, which are likewise apertured for the reception of the pivot bolt 32 which extends through the lug apertures and thus pivotally connects the frame portions. The disks 30 and 31 of insulating material are provided with annular grooves 32 and 33 in their outer peripheries for the reception of the collector rings 34 and 35 respectively, which latter have their exterior portions exposed for engagement by the brushes 24 and 25 previously described. The frame portion 7 is provided on both sides of its lug 29 with arcuate recesses or grooves 36 and 37, in which the collector rings 34 and 35 are movable, and which are intended to prevent the said rings from coming in contact with the said frame portion 7.

Metallic brushes 38 and 39 are secured to a block of insulating material 40 mounted in the frame portion 7 beneath the barrel 6 and are engaged with the collector rings 34 and 35 respectively, and insulating conductors 41 and 42 connect these brushes with the socket of the flash light bulb 43, which is mounted in the forward end of the tubular body 44 of the flash light attachment 5.

Insulated conductors 21 and 22 are A cap 45 is secured to the forward end of the body 44 and is provided with a lens 46 through which the light passes from the bulb 43 when the electric circuit is closed by operation of the push button 14. The body 44 of the flash light attachment is shown as attached to the barrel 6 of the firearm by means of the resilient clips 47, but it is to be understood that any other suitable means of attachment may be employed.

In replacing the dry cell 4, one of the handle grips 48 is removed by withdrawing the fastening screws 49, and the casing 1 is drawn laterally so as to free the pole tip 12 of the cell from engagement with the contact member 9, it being understood that the conductor 21 is rather loose and is flexible so as to permit the said casing to be withdrawn to a slight distance. Then, the cell in the casing is replaced by a new cell, and the casing is replaced within the back strap and the handle grip is again secured thereto. It is to be understood further that the disks 30 and 31, provided in the joint between the pivoted frame portions, are free for rotation upon the pivot bolt 32, thus being capable of presenting new surfaces of the collector rings to the contact brushes as the revolver is used. In this manner the active surfaces of the collector rings and the brushes will be abraded every time the revolver is opened, and as a result thereof, good electrical connection between the wiring carried by the respective frame portions may be had at all times.

In Fig. 5, we have shown a modified form of flash light device, wherein the lens 50 employed has its convex front face flattened as at 51, and a parabolic reflector 52 is secured within the casing 53 in rear of the light bulb, so that the rays of light from the latter will be reflected parallel through the plane central portion of the lens. This form of flash light will produce a large spot of light upon the object aimed at, with a brighter central spot created by the projection of parallel, centrally disposed rays of light. The reflector 52 should be so disposed with relation to the light and lens, that the central ray of light which creates the finder spot, as it may be termed, will fall upon the spot at which the load of the firearm will strike. The use of this light attachment will render quick shooting at night quite accurate, as it not necessary to sight along the barrel of the firearm. The person using the firearm merely has to press the circuit closing button and point the firearm in the direction of the object to be fired upon until the finder spot locates upon the target.

In Fig. 6 We have shown a circular, opaque disk, or spot 54 positioned upon the front, convex face of the lens centrally with respect thereto. In employing this form of lens in the flash light device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the finder spot will be in the form of a shadow. In Fig. 7 we have shown an opaque spot or disk provided centrally upon the rear, plane face of the lens, and in Fig. 8 the disk is shown embedded within the lens. The provision. of an opaque spotting disk of this form should in many cases prove more desirable than the construction of the flash light device described in connection with Fig. 5, as it can be more cheaply applied to the flash light, and in fact lenses of the description may be employed in connection with any form of searchlight designed for use upon firearms.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim is:

1. The combination with a revolver including relatively movable frame portions having apertured pivot lugs formed thereon and a pivot bolt connecting the same, the said lugs being relatively spaced when operatively connected, of insulating members mounted upon the said pivot bolt between the lugs, a metallic collector member mounted upon each of said insulating members, metallic brushes mounted upon the frame portion bearing the barrel and insulated therefrom, the said brushes being engageable with the collector members, a flash light device secured to the said barrel and including an electric bulb, means for electrically connecting the carbon terminals of the bulb with the respective brushes, metallic brushes connected to the other frame portion and insulated therefrom for engagement with the said collector members,

a source of current provided upon the said frame portion, and electrical connection between the terminals of said source and the last-named brushes.

2. The combination with a revolver including relatively movable frame portions having apertured pivot lugs thereon and a pivot bolt connecting the same, the said lugs being relatively spaced when operatively connected, of insulating members mounted upon the said pivot bolt between the lugs, a metallic collector member mounted upon each of said insulating members, metallic brushes mounted upon the frame portion bearing the barrel and insulated therefrom, the said brushes being engageable with the collector members, a flash light device secured to the said barrel and including an electric bulb, means for electrically connecting the carbon terminals of the bulb with the respective brushes, metallic brushes connected to the other frame portion and insulated therefrom for engagement with the said collector members, a source of current provided upon the said frame portion, normally open electrical r t v connection between the terminals of said source and the last-named brushes, and means for closing said circuit.

3. The combination with a revolver including relatively movable frame portions having apertured pivot lugs formed thereon and a pivot bolt connecting the same, the said lugs being relatively spaced when operatively connected, of insulating members mounted upon the said pivot bolt between the lugs, a metallic collector ring mounted upon each of said insulating members, metallic brushes mounted upon the frame portion bearing the barrel and insulated therefrom, the said brushes being engageable with the collector rings, a flash light device secured to the said barrel and including an electric bulb, means for electrically connecting the carbon terminals of the bulb with the respective brushes, metallic brushes connected to the other frame portion and insulated therefrom for engagement with the said collector rings, a source of current provided upon the said frame portion, and electrical connection between the terminals of said source and the last-named brushes.

4-. The combination with a pivoted frame revolver, of metallic collector members connected thereto at the joint between the frame portions and insulated therefrom, metallic brushes attached to the frame portion bearing the barrel and insulated therefrom, a flash light device attached to the barrel and including an electric bulb, means for electrically connecting the terminals of the bulb carbon to the respective brushes, metallic brushes mounted upon the other frame portion and insulated therefrom, all of said brushes being engageable with the collector members during relative movement of the frame portions, a source of current provided upon the latter frame portion and insulated therefrom, and means for connecting said source electrically with the last-named brushes, the circuit being normally open.

5. The combination with a pivoted frame revolver, of metallic collector members connected thereto at the joint between the frame portions and insulated therefrom, metallic brushes attached to the frame portion bearing the barrel and insulated therefrom, a flash light device attached to the barrel and including an electric bulb, means for electrically connecting the terminals of the bulb carbons to the respective brushes, metallic brushes mounted upon the other frame portion and insulated therefrom, all of said brushes being engageable with the collector members during relative movement of the frame portions, a source of current provided upon the latter frame portion and insulated therefrom, means for connecting said source electrically with the last-named brushes, the

5 device applied thereto and comprising a cas ing, a lens mounted Within the casing and including a central plane portion, a source of light disposed Within the casing in rear of the lens, the outer portion of the said \10 lens being adapted to project the light to form an enlarged spot, and a parabolic reflector disposed Within the casing in rear of the light and being equal in maximum internal diameter to the diameter of the plane area of the lens.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

MEADE FERGUSON. JAMES O. FITZGERALD, JR. \Vitnesses:

A. J. CHENEY, I. V. GODDIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

